Agricultural header transport assembly

ABSTRACT

An agricultural header assembly broadly includes a header and a header transport assembly. The header is disposed in a transport orientation when a rigid beam thereof is out of vertical alignment with the header center of gravity. The transport assembly includes first and second pairs of spaced apart wheels shiftably connected to the rigid beam for movement between a transport position and a field position. The first and second pairs of wheels define respective first and second midpoints therebetween when in the transport position. The first and second midpoints are each disposed in general vertical alignment with the header center of gravity when the header is in the transport orientation to substantially balance the header on the transport assembly.

RELATED APPLICATION

This is a continuation of prior application Ser. No. 13/245,593, filedSep. 26, 2011, entitled AGRICULTURAL HEADER TRANSPORT KIT, which is acontinuation of prior application Ser. No. 12/817,890, filed Jun. 17,2010, entitled AGRICULTURAL HEADER TRANSPORT KIT, all of which arehereby incorporated in their entirety by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a header transport assembly.More specifically, the present invention concerns a header transportassembly that is connectable to a rigid beam of a header frame tosubstantially balance the header thereon when the rigid beam is out ofvertical alignment with the header center of gravity.

2. Discussion of the Prior Art

Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that an agriculturalimplement or machine, such as a self-propelled combine, typicallyincludes an agricultural header to be carried across a field by theimplement. The header is often configured to cut crop material and toconvey the cut crop material for further processing by the implement.Sometimes, the header may be specially designed for use with aparticular type of crop (such as a row crop harvester or a sickle headerwith a flexible cutterbar). Thus, it can be desirable to move the headerfrom one field to another without the header being carried by theimplement for active operation.

For such transport between fields (with such transport often beingperformed at a relatively low speed and over a relatively shortdistance), a header transport kit may be connected to the header toprovide mobile support therefor when the header is in a transportorientation. Such a transport kit may be shiftable between field andtransport positions, such that the transport kit need not be physicallyremoved from the header in order for the header to be used for normalfield operations. As is generally known in the art, such a transport kitshould at least substantially balance the header thereon, so that theheader can be safely transported between fields.

Moreover, it may be advantageous for a header transport kit to beconfigured such that an operator in the field can simply lower theheader onto the transport kit for transport with a minimum of effort.Thus, it is desirable to place the header in a transport orientationdirectly from the implement, without requiring any additional supportstructure or equipment, such that the transport kit may be relativelyself-contained. This generally means that the header must bepositionable in the transport orientation within the somewhat limitedrange of angular movement of the feederhouse of the implement.

Header transport kits are often wheeled devices, and conventional headertransport kits have included at least one wheel supporting element thatis connected to and supported by rigid structure of either the cutterbaror a skid pad (with such rigid structure generally extending in thefore-and-aft direction). In this way, an axle assembly of a traditionalheader transport kit can be rather easily disposed in general verticalalignment with the header center of gravity in order to facilitatebalanced transport.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that, for somecutting operations, the cutterbar of the header must be positioned veryclose to the ground, occasionally with the header including a portionthereof that is engaged in sliding contact with the ground. Advancedflexible headers can be used to follow the natural contours of a fieldwhile severing the crop in such a close-cut manner. Such flexibleheaders, however, suffer from some drawbacks in that rigid frameworkstructure, to which a header transport kit may be connected, is oftenlimited. The rigid structure that is available may not be in verticalalignment with the header center of gravity, as it is noted that rigidstructure generally extending in the fore-and-aft direction may not bepresent at all. Therefore, traditional header transport kits have beenineffective at substantially balancing an advanced flexible header onthe transport assembly.

SUMMARY

According to an aspect of the present invention, a header transportassembly is provided that is connectable to a laterally extending rigidbeam of a header frame to substantially balance and provide mobilesupport for the header. More particularly, an embodiment of the headertransport assembly of the present invention can effectively balance andsupport a header with a continuous rigid beam disposed along a lowermargin thereof and disposed rearwardly of laterally extendingcrop-cutting and crop-conveying assemblies, when the rigid beam is outof vertical alignment with the header center of gravity. Even moreparticularly, an embodiment of the header transport assembly of thepresent invention can effectively balance and support a flexible headerthat is devoid of any rigid structure disposed along a lower marginthereof to generally extend in the fore-and-aft direction.

According to one aspect of the present invention, an agricultural headerassembly is provided to be carried across a field by an implement in anormal operational direction, where the header assembly is removablefrom the implement for transport. The header assembly broadly includes aheader operable to cut and convey crop as the header assembly is movedacross the field, and a transport assembly operable to support theheader in a transport orientation when the header assembly is removedfrom the implement. The header includes a header frame with a rigid beamextending laterally relative to the normal operational direction, acrop-cutting assembly mounted to the header frame and extendinglaterally along the frame, and a crop-conveying assembly supported onthe header frame rearwardly of the crop-cutting assembly and configuredto convey crop severed by the crop-cutting assembly. The header isdisposed in the transport orientation when the rigid beam is out ofvertical alignment with the header center of gravity. The transportassembly includes a first pair of spaced apart wheels that are shiftablyconnected to the rigid beam for movement between a transport positionand a field position. The first pair of wheels define a first midpointtherebetween when in the transport position. The first midpoint isdisposed in general vertical alignment with the header center of gravitywhen the header is in the transport orientation to substantially balancethe header on the transport assembly, with one of the first wheels beingcloser to the rigid beam than the other of the first wheels.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a header transportassembly is operable to provide mobile support to an agricultural headerwhen the header is in a transport orientation, where the header includesa header frame with a rigid beam extending laterally thereacross, withthe header being in the transport orientation when the rigid beam is outof vertical alignment with the header center of gravity. The headertransport assembly includes a first pair of spaced apart wheels that areshiftably connectable to the rigid beam for movement between a transportposition and a field position, with the first pair of wheels defining afirst midpoint therebetween when in the transport position. The headertransport assembly further includes a second pair of spaced apart wheelsthat are shiftably connectable to the rigid beam for movement betweenthe transport and field positions, with the second pair of wheelsdefining a second midpoint therebetween when in the transport position.The first and second midpoints are each configured to be disposed ingeneral vertical alignment with the header center of gravity when theheader is in the transport orientation to substantially balance theheader on the transport assembly when connected thereto, with one of thefirst wheels being closer to the rigid beam than the other of the firstwheels and one of the second wheels being closer to the rigid beam thatthe other of the second wheels.

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the detaileddescription of the preferred embodiments. This summary is not intendedto identify key features or essential features of the claimed subjectmatter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimedsubject matter.

Various other aspects and advantages of the present invention will beapparent from the following detailed description of the preferredembodiments and the accompanying drawing figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

A preferred embodiment of the present invention is described in detailbelow with reference to the attached drawing figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a left front isometric view of an agricultural header assemblyconstructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention,depicted with a header transport assembly disposed in a transportposition, with various conventional components removed to revealstructural details of the header assembly;

FIG. 2 is a right rear isometric view of the agricultural headerassembly shown in FIG. 1, depicted with the header transport assemblydisposed in the transport position;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, left side elevational view of the agriculturalheader assembly shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, depicted with the headertransport assembly disposed in the transport position;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary, side sectional view of theagricultural header assembly shown in FIGS. 1-3, the view taken alongthe line 4-4 of FIG. 3, particularly illustrating an elevational view ofdetails of a portion of the header transport assembly including a frontwheel supporting assembly disposed in the transport position;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged, fragmentary, side sectional view of theagricultural header assembly shown in FIGS. 1-3, the view taken alongthe line 5-5 of FIG. 3, particularly illustrating an elevational view ofdetails of another portion of the header transport assembly including arear wheel supporting assembly disposed in the transport position;

FIG. 6 is a right side sectional view of the agricultural headerassembly shown in FIGS. 1-3, the view taken along the line 6-6 of FIG.4, particularly illustrating an elevational view of the portion of theheader transport assembly including the front wheel supporting assemblydisposed in the transport position;

FIG. 7 is a left side sectional view of the agricultural header assemblyshown in FIGS. 1-3, the view taken along the line 7-7 of FIG. 5,particularly illustrating an elevational view of the portion of theheader transport assembly including the rear wheel supporting assemblydisposed in the transport position;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged, fragmentary, side sectional view of theagricultural header assembly shown in FIGS. 1-3, the view taken alongthe line 8-8 of FIG. 4, particularly illustrating details of internalstructure of the portion of the header transport assembly including thefront wheel supporting assembly disposed in the transport position;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged, fragmentary, side sectional view of the portionof the header transport assembly shown in FIG. 8, but depicted with thefront wheel supporting assembly disposed intermediate the transportposition and a field position;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged, fragmentary, side sectional view of theagricultural header assembly shown in FIGS. 1-3, the view taken alongthe line 10-10 of FIG. 5, particularly illustrating details of internalstructure of the portion of the header transport assembly including therear wheel supporting assembly disposed in the transport position;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged, fragmentary, side sectional view of the portionof the header transport assembly shown in FIG. 10, but depicted with therear wheel supporting assembly disposed intermediate the transportposition and the field position;

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary, isometric view of a portion of the headertransport assembly, similar to the portion shown in FIG. 4, but depictedwith components of the portion of the header transport assemblyincluding the front wheel supporting assembly being moved from thetransport position to the field position;

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary, isometric view of a portion of the headertransport assembly, similar to the portion shown in FIG. 5, but depictedwith components of the portion of the header transport assemblyincluding the rear wheel supporting assembly being moved from thetransport position to the field position;

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary, isometric view of the portion of the headertransport assembly shown in FIG. 13, but depicted with components of theportion of the header transport assembly including the rear wheelsupporting assembly being moved further from the transport position tothe field position;

FIG. 15 is a fragmentary, partial sectional view of the agriculturalheader assembly shown in FIGS. 1-3, illustrating a generally elevationalview of the header assembly, and particularly depicting components ofthe portion of the header transport assembly including the front wheelsupporting assembly disposed in the field position and in a storedcondition for field operations;

FIG. 16 is a fragmentary, left front isometric view of a portion of theheader transport assembly, similar to the portion shown in FIG. 15,particularly depicting components of the portion of the header transportassembly including the front wheel supporting assembly disposed in thefield position and in a stored condition for field operations;

FIG. 17 is a fragmentary, left rear isometric view of the portion of theheader transport assembly shown in FIG. 16, particularly depictingcomponents of the portion of the header transport assembly including thefront wheel supporting assembly disposed in the field position and in astored condition for field operations;

FIG. 18 is an enlarged, fragmentary, partial cutaway, side sectionalview of the portion of the header transport assembly shown in FIGS. 16and 17, the view similar in some respects to the view of FIG. 8,particularly illustrating details of structure of components of theportion of the header transport assembly including the front wheelsupporting assembly disposed in the field position and in a storedcondition for field operations;

FIG. 19 is a fragmentary, left front isometric view of a portion of theheader transport assembly, similar to the portion shown in FIG. 14, butdepicted with components of the portion of the header transport assemblyincluding the rear wheel supporting assembly disposed in the fieldposition and in a stored condition for field operations;

FIG. 20 is a fragmentary, right rear isometric view of the portion ofthe header transport assembly shown in FIG. 19, depicted with manycomponents of the portion of the header transport assembly including therear wheel supporting assembly disposed in the field position and in astored condition for field operations, but depicted with one wheelremoved from the stored condition to show details of construction;

FIG. 21 is a fragmentary, left rear isometric view of the portion of theheader transport assembly shown in FIG. 19, depicted with components ofthe portion of the header transport assembly including the rear wheelsupporting assembly disposed in the field position and in a storedcondition for field operations; and

FIG. 22 is an enlarged, fragmentary, partial cutaway, side sectionalview of the portion of the header transport assembly shown in FIGS.19-21, the view taken along the line 22-22 of FIG. 21, particularlyillustrating details of structure of components of the portion of theheader transport assembly including the rear wheel supporting assemblydisposed in the field position and in a stored condition for fieldoperations.

The drawing figures do not limit the present invention to the specificembodiments disclosed and described herein. The drawings are notnecessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearlyillustrating the principles of the preferred embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is susceptible of embodiment in many differentforms. While the drawings illustrate, and the specification describes,certain preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be understoodthat such disclosure is by way of example only. There is no intent tolimit the principles of the present invention to the particulardisclosed embodiments.

With initial reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, an agricultural header assembly30 constructed in accordance with the principles of an embodiment of thepresent invention is configured to be carried across a field by animplement (not shown), such as a self-propelled combine. The headerassembly 30 is generally configured for cutting and conveying cropmaterial during field operations by being advanced in a generallyforward normal operational direction D_(O) when carried by theimplement.

Ordinarily, severed crop material is conveyed toward a generally centralfeederhouse (not shown) to be further processed by other combinecomponents (not shown) in order to produce grain. It is noted, however,that at least some aspects of the present invention could also be usedin other implements, such as a mower, swather, or windrower (wherematerial may be conveyed in a direction other than centrally), as willbe readily appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art upon reviewof this disclosure. The header assembly 30 is also generally configuredfor movement from field to field, in a generally lateral transportdirection D_(T) when removed from the implement.

The agricultural header assembly 30 broadly includes a header 32 and aheader transport assembly 34. The header 32 is operable to cut andconvey crop material as the header assembly 30 is moved across thefield. As is generally customary, the header 32 includes a header frame36 disposed generally along a rear margin of the header 32, end cropdividers 38, 39 disposed generally along opposite side margins of theheader 32, a crop-cutting assembly 40 disposed generally along a frontmargin of the header 32, and a crop-conveying assembly 42 disposedgenerally behind the crop-cutting assembly 40.

The header frame 36 preferably includes an upper beam 44 disposedgenerally along an upper margin of the header 32 and extending laterallyacross the entire width of the header 32 relative to the normaloperational direction D_(O). The header frame 36 preferably alsoincludes a rigid lower beam 46 disposed generally along a lower marginof the header 32 that likewise extends laterally across the full widthof the header 32 relative to the normal operational direction D_(O). Itis noted, however, that either or both of the upper beam 44 and therigid lower beam 46 may alternatively extend only partially across thewidth of the header 32, or may comprise multiple discrete beam sections,without departing from the teachings of the present invention. Theheader frame 36 further includes a plurality of generally uprightchannels 48 that interconnect the upper beam 44 and the rigid lower beam46 along the rear margin of the header 32 at spaced locationsthereacross.

The illustrated crop-cutting assembly 40 is preferably substantiallyflexible, such that the crop-cutting assembly 40 is configured to“float” relative to the rigid lower beam 46. Similarly, the illustratedcrop-conveying assembly 42 is preferably substantially flexible, suchthat the crop-conveying assembly 42 is configured to “float” relative tothe rigid lower beam 46. Thus, the illustrated header 32 is a so-called“flexible header” that is configured to closely follow an undulatingground contour. Given the flexible nature of many of the components ofthe header 32, one of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciatethat, except for the rigid lower beam 46, the header 32 is substantiallydevoid of any other rigid mounting structure along the lower marginthereof, particularly in the fore-and-aft direction.

It is noted that additional structural and operational details of oneexample of the flexible header 32 depicted herein for use with theheader transport assembly 34 are described in detail in U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/118,474 (the '474 application). The '474application, entitled Draper Belt with Crop-Retaining Rib, filed May 9,2008, and assigned of record to the same assignee of record as thepresent application, is hereby incorporated by reference in itsentirety, to the extent not inconsistent with the present disclosure.

The header 32 is depicted in FIGS. 1-3 in a transport orientation inwhich the header 32 can be readily attached or removed from theimplement (not shown) by raising or lowering a header-coupling portionof the implement (such as the feederhouse), as will be readilyappreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art upon review of thisdisclosure. In more detail, the transport orientation is further definedby a condition in which the rigid lower beam 46 is out of verticalalignment with the header center of gravity 50. As will be readilyunderstood by one of ordinary skill in the art, the front margin of theheader 32 is generally tilted upwardly relative to the rear margin ofthe header 32 when the header 32 is in the transport orientation.

As can be seen particularly in FIG. 3, it may be theoretically possibleto rotate the header 32 to further tilt the front margin thereof in aneffort to vertically align the header center of gravity 50 with therigid lower beam 46, although such rotation of the header 32 istypically beyond the capability of the implement (not shown). Moreover,as will be readily appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art,orienting the header 32 in such theoretical alignment would make theheader 32 detrimentally unstable for transport. Accordingly, as usedherein, the term transport orientation is intended to mean a conditionin which the rigid lower beam 46 is out of vertical alignment with theheader center of gravity 50, and in which the implement (not shown) canposition the header 32.

Turning now to structural details of the header transport assembly 34operable to support the header 32 in the transport orientation when theheader 32 is removed from the implement (not shown), the depicted headertransport assembly 34 broadly includes a first wheel supporting assembly52 carrying a first pair of spaced apart wheels 54, 56. As described indetail below, the first wheel supporting assembly 52 is shiftablyconnected to the rigid lower beam 46 for movement between a transportposition (see FIGS. 1-3, 5, 7, and 10) and a field position (see FIGS.19-22), with the first pair of wheels 54, 56 being configured forrolling engagement with the ground when the first wheel supportingassembly 52 is in the transport position.

In the depicted embodiment, the header transport assembly 34 alsopreferably includes a second wheel supporting assembly 58 carrying asecond pair of spaced apart wheels 60, 62. The second wheel supportingassembly 58 is also shiftably connected to the rigid lower beam 46 formovement between the transport position (see FIGS. 1-4, 6, and 8) andthe field position (see FIGS. 15-18), with the second pair of wheels 60,62 being likewise configured for rolling engagement with the ground whenthe second wheel supporting assembly 58 is in the transport position. Itis noted that in the depicted embodiment, the first pair of spaced apartwheels 54, 56 are preferably disposed further apart from one anotherthan are the second pair of spaced apart wheels 60, 62.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the depicted header transport assembly 34also includes a tongue assembly 64 including an elongated tongue element66. The elongated tongue element 66 is configured to be pulled by avehicle (such as a tractor or truck) in the transport direction D_(T).The elongated tongue element 66 presents opposite end margins 68, 70,with one end margin 68 being connected to the second wheel supportingassembly 62, and the other end margin 70 being configured for connectionto the vehicle (not shown) in a manner generally known in the art.

In the illustrated embodiment, the tongue assembly 64 is connected tothe second wheel supporting assembly 62 for towing movement in thetransport direction D_(T), such that the second wheel supportingassembly 62 is generally configured as the front wheel supportingassembly and the first wheel supporting assembly 56 is generallyconfigured as the rear wheel supporting assembly. It is noted that analternative embodiment of the header transport assembly 34 (not shown)may omit the second wheel supporting assembly 62, and provide only thefirst wheel supporting assembly 56, without departing from the teachingsof the present invention. In such an alternative embodiment (not shown),the tongue assembly 64 may be connected directly to the rigid lower beam46, as will be readily appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the artupon review of this disclosure.

With attention now to FIGS. 1-3, 5, 7, and 10, additional details of thefirst wheel supporting assembly 52 and the first pair of spaced apartwheels 54, 56 will be described. The first wheel supporting assembly 52generally includes a first support framework 72 and a pair of firststabilizer bars 74, 76. The first support framework 72 includes a pairof framework support arms 78, 80 and a first common axle bar 82 disposedalong a lower margin of the first support framework 72. It is noted thatin the depicted embodiment, the first support framework 72 is preferablya substantially unitary structure.

The framework support arms 78, 80 extend generally transverse to therigid lower beam 46 when the first wheel supporting assembly 52 is inthe transport position. In the depicted embodiment, one of the frameworksupport arms 78 is longer than the other of the framework support arms80. Each framework support arm 78, 80 presents opposite end margins,with one of each of the end margins intersecting the common axle bar 82.The other of each of the end margins of the framework support arms 78,80 preferably come together at an apex 84 disposed at a generally uppermargin of the first support framework 72. The apex 84 of the firstsupport framework 72 is operably secured to the rigid lower beam 46 at afirst common connection location 86 for shiftable connection theretobetween the transport and field positions, as described in detail below.

With reference specifically to FIG. 10, a first bracket 85 is secured tothe rigid lower beam 46 at the first common connection location 86 witha plurality of fastener assemblies 200, such as bolt-and-nut assemblies.The first support framework 72 is operably secured to the rigid lowerbeam 46 at the first common connection location 86 by connection througha first multi-pivoting joint 300 that interconnects one side of thefirst bracket 85 and a portion of the first support framework 72disposed on one side of the apex 84. A first retaining plate 87 isconnected to the first support framework 72 at a first swing pivot 302disposed on the other side of the apex 84. In the transport position,the first retaining plate 87 is operably connected to the other side ofthe first bracket 85 with a pin connection assembly 301, such as aclevis pin held securely in place with a cotter pin, as will be readilyunderstood by one of ordinary skill in the art upon review of thisdisclosure.

In this manner, the first support framework 72 is operably secured tothe rigid lower beam 46 at the first common connection location 86 whenin the transport position, but is also shiftable into the field positionwithout the use of tools, as will be readily appreciated by one ofordinary skill in the art upon review of this disclosure. The operationof moving the first support framework 72 from the transport position tothe field position is described in further detail below.

The first support framework 72 also preferably includes a plurality ofhandles 88 to facilitate easier manual manipulation of the first supportframework 72 between the transport and field positions, as will bereadily appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art upon review ofthis disclosure. Finally, the first support framework 72 also preferablyincludes a pair of wheel storage brackets 90, 92 disposed along thecommon axle bar 82. The wheel storage brackets 90, 92 facilitate storageof the first pair of wheels 54, 56 thereon when the first supportframework 72 is disposed in the field position, as described in detailbelow.

Each of the first pair of spaced apart wheels 54, 56 is supported forrotation about a respective hub assembly 94, 96. Each of the hubassemblies 94, 96 is connected to an opposite end margin of the firstcommon axle bar 82, so that the first pair of spaced apart wheels 54, 56is carried by the first wheel supporting assembly 52 for rotationthereon when the first wheel supporting assembly 52 is in the transportposition. In more detail, and with reference specifically to FIGS. 7 and10, a non-rotatable portion 95, 97 of each of the respective hubassemblies 94, 96 is received within an open receiving portion of arespective one of the opposite end margins of the first common axle bar82.

Each of the non-rotatable portions 95, 97 of the hub assemblies 94, 96is secured in place with a pin connection assembly 303, 305, such as aclevis pin held securely in place with a cotter pin, as will be readilyunderstood by one of ordinary skill in the art upon review of thisdisclosure. In this manner, each of the first pair of spaced apartwheels 54, 56 is removable from the first common axle bar 82 without theuse of tools, as will be readily appreciated by one of ordinary skill inthe art.

In the depicted embodiment, the first pair of spaced apart wheels 54, 56are disposed for rotation along a first common axis 98, with the firstcommon axle bar 82 being disposed along the first common axis 98. Aswill be readily appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art uponreview of this disclosure, the first common axis 98 (and the firstcommon axle bar 82) are generally orthogonal to the direction ofextension of the rigid lower beam 46 when the first wheel supportingassembly 52 is in the transport position.

With specific reference to FIGS. 3 and 7, the first pair of spaced apartwheels 54, 56 cooperatively define a first midpoint 100 therebetweenwhen the wheels 54, 56 are in the transport position. The first midpoint100 is disposed in general vertical alignment with the header center ofgravity 50 when the header 32 is in the transport orientation. In thisway, the header 32 is substantially balanced on the header transportassembly 34 when the first wheel supporting assembly 52 is in thetransport position. As can be seen particularly in FIGS. 3 and 7, one ofthe first wheels 56 is disposed closer to the rigid lower beam 46 thanis the other of the first wheels 54.

Finally, with reference particularly to FIGS. 5 and 7, the pair of firststabilizer bars 74, 76 will be described when the first wheel supportingassembly 52 is in the transport position.

Each of the first stabilizer bars 74, 76 extends from a portion of thefirst support framework 72 to the rigid lower beam 46. In more detail,one of the first stabilizer bars 74 extends from a portion of thesupport arm 78 adjacent a respective one of the first pair of spacedapart wheels 54 to the rigid lower beam 46 and connects thereto at alocation inboard of the first common connection location 86; that is, ata location closer toward the lateral center of the header 32 than thefirst common connection location 86. Similarly, the other of the firststabilizer bars 76 extends from a portion of the support arm 80 adjacenta respective other of the first pair of spaced apart wheels 56 to therigid lower beam 46 and connects thereto at a location inboard of thefirst common connection location 86; that is, at a location closertoward the lateral center of the header 32 than the first commonconnection location 86.

As with the framework support arms 78, 80, one of the first stabilizerbars 74 is longer than the other of the first stabilizer bars 76. In thedepicted embodiment, both of the first stabilizer bars 74, 76 connect tothe rigid lower beam 46 at a common bracket 102, although distinctconnection points along the rigid lower beam 46 for each of the firststabilizer bars 74, 76 would be firmly within the ambit of the presentinvention.

In more detail, and with reference specifically to FIGS. 3, 5, and 7,the common bracket 102 is secured to the rigid lower beam 46 with aplurality of fastener assemblies 202, such as bolt-and-nut assemblies.One of the first stabilizer bars 74 is interconnected between theportion of the support arm 78 and the common bracket 102 for shiftablemovement between the transport and field positions. In the transportposition, as shown in FIGS. 3, 5, and 7, the first stabilizer bar 74 isconnected at one end to the common bracket 102 at a swing pivot 304, andis connected at the other end to the portion of the support arm 78 witha pin connection assembly 307, such as a clevis pin held securely inplace with a cotter pin, as will be readily understood by one ofordinary skill in the art upon review of this disclosure.

Likewise, the other of the first stabilizer bars 76 is interconnectedbetween the portion of the support arm 80 and the common bracket 102 forshiftable movement between the transport and field positions. In thetransport position, as shown in FIGS. 3, 5, and 7, the second stabilizerbar 76 is connected at one end to the common bracket 102 at a swingpivot 306, and is connected at the other end to the portion of thesupport arm 80 with a pin connection assembly 309, as will be readilyunderstood by one of ordinary skill in the art upon review of thisdisclosure. In this manner, the first stabilizer bars 74, 76 areremovable from the portions of the support arms 78, 80 to be shiftableinto the field position without the use of tools, as will be readilyappreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art.

With attention now to FIGS. 1-4, 6, and 8, additional details of thesecond wheel supporting assembly 58 and the second pair of spaced apartwheels 60, 62 will be described. The second wheel supporting assembly 58generally includes a second support framework 104 and a secondstabilizer bar 106. The second support framework 104 preferably includesa single arcuate support arm 108 and a second common axle bar 110disposed along a lower margin of the second support framework 104.

The arcuate support arm 108 presents opposite end margins, with one ofthe end margins pivotally intersecting the second common axle bar 110 ata pivotal steering joint 308. The other one of the end margins of thearcuate support arm 108 is operably secured to the rigid lower beam 46at a second common connection location 112 for shiftable connectionthereto between the transport and field positions, as described indetail below.

With reference specifically to FIG. 8, a second bracket 111 is securedto the rigid lower beam 46 at the second common connection location 112with a plurality of fastener assemblies 204, such as bolt-and-nutassemblies. The second support framework 104 is operably secured to therigid lower beam 46 at the second common connection location 112 byconnection through a second multi-pivoting joint 310 that interconnectsone side of the second bracket 111 and a portion of the second supportframework 104. A second retaining plate 113 is connected to the secondsupport framework 104 at a second swing pivot 312. In the transportposition, the second retaining plate 113 is operably connected to theother side of the second bracket 111 with a pin connection assembly 311,such as a clevis pin held securely in place with a cotter pin, as willbe readily understood by one of ordinary skill in the art upon review ofthis disclosure.

In this manner, the second support framework 104 is operably secured tothe rigid lower beam 46 at the second common connection location 112when in the transport position, but is also shiftable into the fieldposition without the use of tools, as will be readily appreciated by oneof ordinary skill in the art upon review of this disclosure. Theoperation of moving the second support framework 104 from the transportposition to the field position is described in further detail below.

Each of the second pair of spaced apart wheels 60, 62 is supported forrotation about a respective hub assembly 114, 116. Each of the hubassemblies 114, 116 is connected to an opposite end margin of the secondcommon axle bar 110, so that the second pair of spaced apart wheels 60,62 is carried by the second wheel supporting assembly 58 for rotationthereon when the second wheel supporting assembly 58 is in the transportposition. In more detail, and with reference specifically to FIGS. 6 and8, a non-rotatable portion 115, 117 of each of the respective hubassemblies 114, 116 is received within an open receiving portion of arespective one of the opposite end margins of the second common axle bar110.

Each of the non-rotatable portions 115, 117 of the hub assemblies 114,116 is secured in place with a pin connection assembly 313, 315, such asa clevis pin held securely in place with a cotter pin, as will bereadily understood by one of ordinary skill in the art upon review ofthis disclosure. In this manner, each of the second pair of spaced apartwheels 60, 62 is removable from the second common axle bar 110 withoutthe use of tools, as will be readily appreciated by one of ordinaryskill in the art. In the depicted embodiment, the second pair of spacedapart wheels 60, 62 are disposed for rotation along a second common axis118, with the second common axle bar 110 being disposed along the secondcommon axis 118.

As will be readily appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art uponreview of this disclosure, the second common axis 118 (and the secondcommon axle bar 110) can turn relative to the direction of extension ofthe rigid lower beam 46 when the second wheel supporting assembly 58 isin the transport position (due to the pivotal connection 308 between thesecond common axle bar 110 and the arcuate support arm 108), such thatthe header transport assembly 34 may be steered as it is pulledgenerally in the transport direction T_(D).

With specific reference to FIGS. 3 and 6, the second pair of spacedapart wheels 60, 62 cooperatively define a second midpoint 120therebetween when the wheels 60, 62 are in the transport position. Thesecond midpoint 120 is disposed in general vertical alignment with theheader center of gravity 50 when the header 32 is in the transportorientation. In this way, the header 32 is substantially balanced on theheader transport assembly 34 when the second wheel supporting assembly58 is in the transport position. As can be seen particularly in FIGS. 3and 6, one of the second wheels 62 is disposed closer to the rigid lowerbeam 46 then is the other of the second wheels 60.

Finally, with reference particularly to FIGS. 4 and 6, the secondstabilizer bar 106 will be described when the second wheel supportingassembly 58 is in the transport position. The second stabilizer bar 106extends from a portion of the second support framework 104 to the rigidlower beam 46. In more detail, the second stabilizer bar 106 extendsfrom a portion of the arcuate support arm 108 along a curved portionsthereof to the rigid lower beam 46 and connects thereto at a locationinboard of the second common connection location 112; that is, at alocation closer toward the lateral center of the header 32 and thesecond common connection location 112. In the illustrated embodiment,the first common connection location 86 and a second common connectionlocation 112 are spaced laterally from one another along a length of therigid lower beam 46.

In the depicted embodiment, the second stabilizer bar 106 connects tothe rigid lower beam 46 at a second bracket 122. In more detail, andwith reference specifically to FIGS. 3, 4, and 6, the second bracket 122is secured to the rigid lower beam 46 with a plurality of fastenerassemblies 206, such as bolt-and-nut assemblies. The second stabilizerbar 106 is interconnected between the portion of the second supportframework 104 and the second bracket 122 for shiftable movement betweenthe transport and field positions.

In the transport position, as shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 6, the secondstabilizer bar 106 is connected at one end to the second bracket 122 ata swing pivot 314, and is connected at the other end to the portion ofthe second support framework 104 with a pin connection assembly 317,such as a clevis pin held securely in place with a cotter pin, as willbe readily understood by one of ordinary skill in the art upon review ofthis disclosure. In this manner, the second stabilizer bar 106 isremovable from the portion of the second support framework 104 to beshiftable into the field position without the use of tools, as will bereadily appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art.

Finally, with reference quickly to FIG. 12, the one end margin 68 of theelongated tongue element 66 is removably connectable to the second wheelsupporting assembly 62, as briefly described above. In more detail, theillustrated second common axle bar 110 includes a tongue receivingportion 124 disposed generally centrally therealong, and at a positionspaced below the pivotal steering joint 308. The one end margin 68 ofthe elongated tongue element 66 is connected to the tongue receivingportion 124 with a pin connection assembly 319, such as a clevis pinheld securely in place with a cotter pin, as will be readily understoodby one of ordinary skill in the art upon review of this disclosure. Inthis manner, the elongated tongue element 66 is removable from thesecond wheel supporting assembly 62 without the use of tools, as will bereadily appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art.

The operation of switching the header transport assembly 34 from thetransport position (as shown generally in FIGS. 1-8 and 10), to theillustrated field position where the wheel supporting assemblies 52, 58are disposed in a stored condition for field operations (as showngenerally in FIGS. 15-22) should be readily apparent from the foregoingand, therefore, will be described here only briefly.

It is noted, however, that the header transport assembly 34 couldalternatively be removed from the header 32 entirely (rather than movedinto the illustrated field position to be stored thereon, as describedbelow) in order to be considered shiftable for field operations, withoutdeparting from the teachings of the present invention. In other words,the field position, as that term is used herein, may encompass anyposition other than the transport position, such that it remains firmlywithin the ambit of the present invention for the header transportassembly 34 to be shifted into the field position by simply removing theheader transport assembly 34 from the header 32 (for example, to bestored in a remote location).

Initially, it is reiterated that when the header 32 is in the transportorientation and the header transport assembly 34 is in the transportposition, the header 32 is substantially balanced on the headertransport assembly 34 when the first and second wheel supportingassemblies 52, 58 are in the transport position. The header assembly 30can then be towed by the tongue assembly 64 in the transport directionD_(T). The operational description that follows will presume that theheader transport assembly 34 is first in the transport position.

In order to shift the header transport assembly 34 from the transportposition to the field position, the header 32 should be connected to theimplement (such as a combine; not shown), so that the header 32 can beraised and positioned in the transport orientation by the implement.Once the header 32 is safely disposed in the transport orientation, thefirst and second wheel supporting assemblies 52, 58 can be shifted upinto the field position, where the wheel supporting assemblies 52, 58are raised and stored out of engagement with the ground, so that theheader 32 can be used for field operations.

As a first step, the tongue assembly 64 can be removed from the secondwheel supporting assembly 58. As shown in FIG. 12, the pin connectionassembly 319 can be disengaged, as will be readily understood by one ofordinary skill in the art, and the end margin 68 of the elongated tongueelement 66 can be removed from the tongue receiving portion 124 of thesecond wheel supporting framework 104. With specific reference to FIGS.15 and 16, it is noted that the rigid upper beam 44 is typically hollow,such that the tongue assembly 64 can be stored therein. As depicted inFIGS. 15 and 16, the pin connection assembly 319 can be reinsertedthrough the end margin 68 of the elongated tongue element 66 to connectthe tongue assembly 64 to a tongue assembly storage bracket 126 disposedadjacent an end margin of the rigid upper beam 44.

Next, the first wheel supporting assembly 52 can be shifted from thetransport position to the field position. With reference to FIGS. 11,13, and 14, the first wheel supporting assembly 52 is moved into thefield position depicted in FIGS. 19-22. First, the pin connectionassemblies 303, 305 are disengaged, so that the first pair of wheels 54,56 can be removed from the first support framework 72. Next, the pinconnection assembly 309 is disengaged, so that the first stabilizer bar76 can be swung away from the first support framework 72 aboutrespective pivot connection 306. As shown in FIGS. 19-22, the firststabilizer bar 76 can be secured to appropriate portions of the firstsupport framework 72 or the header 32, so that the first stabilizer bar76 is disposed generally in line with the rigid lower beam 46. The firststabilizer bar 76 can be secured in such stored disposition byreinserting the pin connection assembly 309 through an appropriatestorage bracket, as will be readily understood by one of ordinary skillin the art upon review of this disclosure and the accompanying drawings.

Following securement of the first stabilizer bar 76, the pin connectionassembly 301 may be disengaged, so that the first retaining plate 87 canbe removed from the first bracket 85. The first retaining plate 87 maythen be secured to an appropriate storage bracket of the first supportframework 72 (as shown in FIG. 13).

Next, the pin connection assembly 307 is disengaged, so that the firststabilizer bar 74 can be swung away from the first support framework 72about respective pivot connection 304. As shown in FIGS. 19-22, thefirst stabilizer bar 74 can be secured to appropriate portions of thefirst assembly framework 72 or the header 32, so that the firststabilizer bar 74 is disposed generally in line with the rigid lowerbeam 46. The first stabilizer bar 74 can be secured in such storeddisposition by reinserting the pin connection 307 through an appropriatestorage bracket, as will be readily understood by one of ordinary skillin the art upon review of this disclosure and the accompanying drawings.

At this point, the first support framework 72 can swing downward aboutthe multi-pivoting joint 300 (as shown in FIG. 11), and can further berotated through an angle of approximately ninety degrees (90°) (as shownin FIGS. 13 and 14), to position the first support framework 72 in astorage position. A first assembly storage bracket 128 can be releasedfrom a storage position against the header 32 (as shown in FIG. 14) inorder to retain the first support framework 72.

The first support framework 72 can then be swung into a storagedisposition supported by the first assembly storage bracket 128 by usingthe handles 88, as will be readily understood by one of ordinary skillin the art upon review of this disclosure and the accompanying drawings.Once the first support framework 72 has been swung into the storagedisposition and is supported by the first assembly storage bracket 128,the first support framework 72 can be secured in such disposition byreinserting appropriate pin connection assemblies through appropriatestorage brackets, as will be readily appreciated by one of ordinaryskill in the art.

Finally, the first pair of wheels 54, 56 can then be reconnected to thefirst support framework 72 by connecting the first pair of wheels 54, 56to their respective wheel storage attachments 90, 92. The pin connectionassemblies 303, 305 can be reused for this purpose, as will be readilyappreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art (see specifically FIGS.20 and 21).

The second wheel supporting assembly 58 can similarly be shifted fromthe transport position to the field position. With reference to FIGS. 9and 12, the second wheel supporting assembly 58 moves into the fieldposition depicted in FIGS. 16-18. First, the pin connection assembly 317is disengaged, so that the second stabilizer bar 108 can be swung awayfrom the second support framework 104 about respective pivot connection314. As shown in FIGS. 16-18, the second stabilizer bar 108 can besecured to appropriate portions of the second support framework 104 orthe header 32, so that the second stabilizer bar 108 is disposedgenerally in line with the rigid lower beam 46. The second stabilizerbar 108 can be secured in such stored disposition by reinserting the pinconnection assembly 317 through an appropriate storage bracket, as willbe readily understood by one of ordinary skill in the art upon review ofthis disclosure and the accompanying drawings.

Following securement of the second stabilizer bar 108, the pinconnection assembly 311 may be disengaged, so that the second retainingplate 113 can be removed from the second bracket 111. The secondretaining plate 113 may then be secured to an appropriate storagebracket of the second support framework 104 (as shown in FIG. 17).

At this point, the second support framework 104 can swing downward aboutthe multi-pivoting joint 310 (as shown in FIG. 12), and can further berotated through an angle of approximately ninety degrees (90°) (as shownin the difference between FIG. 12 and FIG. 15), to position the secondsupport framework 104 in a storage position. A second assembly storageretaining rod 130 can then be used to store the second assemblyframework 104 in a storage disposition by securing the retaining rod 130to a bracket 132 secured to a selected one of the rigid channels 48 (asshown in FIGS. 17 and 18), as will be readily understood by one ofordinary skill in the art upon review of this disclosure and theaccompanying drawings.

It is noted that each of the second pair of wheels 60, 62 is generallyretained at respective opposite end margins of the second common axlebar 110 (namely, in the same disposition as when in the transportposition). It may be helpful, however, to temporarily remove either orboth of the second pair of wheels 60, 62 in order to manipulate thesecond support framework 104 into the storage disposition, as will bereadily appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art.

In order to switch the header transport assembly 34 from the fieldposition to the transport position, one need only reverse the procedureoutlined above, as will be readily understood by one of ordinary skillin the art upon review of this disclosure.

The preferred forms of the invention described above are to be used asillustration only, and should not be utilized in a limiting sense ininterpreting the scope of the present invention. Obvious modificationsto the exemplary embodiments, as hereinabove set forth, could be readilymade by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit ofthe present invention.

The inventors hereby state their intent to rely on the Doctrine ofEquivalents to determine and access the reasonably fair scope of thepresent invention as pertains to any apparatus not materially departingfrom but outside the literal scope of the invention set forth in thefollowing claims.

1. An agricultural header assembly to be carried across a field by animplement in a normal operational direction and being removable from theimplement for transport, said header assembly comprising: a headeroperable to cut and convey crop as the header assembly is moved acrossthe field, said header including: a header frame including a rigid beamextending laterally relative to the normal operational direction, saidheader presenting a header center of gravity and a vertical plane thatintersects the header center of gravity and extends laterally along theheader, said header being in a transport orientation when the rigid beamis out of vertical alignment with the vertical plane; and a transportassembly operable to support the header in the transport orientationwhen the header assembly is removed from the implement, with at leastsubstantially all of the support provided by the transport assemblybeing through the rigid beam, said transport assembly including: a firstpair of spaced apart wheels shiftably connected to the rigid beam formovement between a transport position and a field position, with each ofthe wheels being connected to the rigid beam at a connection locationentirely on one side of the vertical plane when the header is in thetransport orientation, said first pair of wheels defining a firstmidpoint therebetween when in the transport position, said firstmidpoint being disposed in general vertical alignment with the verticalplane when the header is in the transport orientation to substantiallybalance the header on the transport assembly.
 2. The agricultural headerassembly as claimed in claim 1, said first pair of spaced apart wheelsbeing disposed for rotation along a first common axis.
 3. Theagricultural header assembly as claimed in claim 2, said first commonaxis being generally orthogonal to the rigid beam.
 4. The agriculturalheader assembly as claimed in claim 1, said connection location for eachof the first wheels being the same as the connection location for otherof the first wheels so as to present a single common connectionlocation, with one of the first wheels being closer to the rigid beamthan the other of the first wheels.
 5. The agricultural header assemblyas claimed in claim 4, said rigid beam being entirely on one side of thevertical plane when the header is in the transport orientation.
 6. Theagricultural header assembly as claimed in claim 4, said transportassembly further including a first wheel supporting assembly carryingthe first pair of spaced apart wheels for rotation thereon when in thetransport position.
 7. The agricultural header assembly as claimed inclaim 6, said first wheel supporting assembly operably connecting thefirst wheels to the rigid beam at the common connection location.
 8. Theagricultural header assembly as claimed in claim 7, said first pair ofspaced apart wheels being disposed for rotation along a first commonaxis, said first wheel supporting assembly including a pair of supportarms and a first common axle bar disposed along the first common axis,each support arm extending generally transverse to the rigid beam whenin the transport position, each support arm presenting opposite endmargins, with one of each of the end margins intersecting the firstcommon axle bar.
 9. The agricultural header assembly as claimed in claim8, one of said support arms being longer than the other.
 10. Theagricultural header assembly as claimed in claim 7, said first wheelsupporting assembly further including a pair of first stabilizer bars,with each of the stabilizer bars extending from a portion of one of thesupport arms adjacent a respective one of the first wheels to the rigidbeam to connect thereto at a location inboard of the common connectionlocation.
 11. The agricultural header assembly as claimed in claim 10,said transport assembly further including a storage bracket configuredto carry the first wheel supporting assembly when in the field position.12. The agricultural header assembly as claimed in claim 1, saidtransport assembly further including a second pair of spaced apartwheels shiftably connected to the rigid beam for movement between thetransport and field positions, with each of the second wheels beingconnected to the rigid beam at a second connection location entirely onone side of the vertical plane when the header is in the transportorientation, said second pair of wheels defining a second midpointtherebetween when in the transport position, said second midpoint beingdisposed in general vertical alignment with the vertical plane when theheader is in the transport orientation to substantially balance theheader on the transport assembly.
 13. The agricultural header assemblyas claimed in claim 12, said second connection location for each of thesecond wheels being the same as the second connection location for theother of the second wheels so as to present a single second commonconnection location, with one of the second wheels being closer to therigid beam than the other of the second wheels.
 14. The agriculturalheader assembly as claimed in claim 13, said rigid beam being entirelyon one side of the vertical plane when the header is in the transportorientation.
 15. The agricultural header assembly as claimed in claim12, said first pair of spaced apart wheels being disposed for rotationalong a first common axis, said second pair of spaced apart wheels beingdisposed for rotation along a second common axis, said first and secondcommon axes being generally orthogonal to the rigid beam and spacedlaterally from one another.
 16. The agricultural header assembly asclaimed in claim 12, said transport assembly further including a firstwheel supporting assembly carrying the first pair of spaced apart wheelsfor rotation thereon when in the transport position, said transportassembly further including a second wheel supporting assembly carryingthe second pair of spaced apart wheels for rotation thereon when in thetransport position, said second pair of spaced apart wheels beingdisposed for rotation along a second common axis.
 17. The agriculturalheader assembly as claimed in claim 16, said first-mentioned connectionlocation for each of the first wheels being the same as thefirst-mentioned connection location for other of the first wheels so asto present a single first common connection location, with one of thefirst wheels being closer to the rigid beam than the other of the firstwheels, said second connection location for each of the second wheelsbeing the same as the second connection location for the other of thesecond wheels so as to present a single second common connectionlocation, with one of the second wheels being closer to the rigid beamthan the other of the second wheels, said first wheel supportingassembly operably connecting the first wheels to the rigid beam at thefirst common connection location, said second wheel supporting assemblyoperably connecting the second wheels to the rigid beam at the secondcommon connection location, said first and second common connectionlocations being spaced laterally from one another along the rigid beam.18. The agricultural header assembly as claimed in claim 17, said secondwheel supporting assembly including a single arcuate support arm and asecond common axle bar disposed along the second common axis, saidsingle arcuate support arm presenting opposite end margins, with one ofthe end margins pivotally intersecting the second common axle bar. 19.The agricultural header assembly as claimed in claim 18, said secondwheel supporting assembly further including a second stabilizer bar,with the second stabilizer bar extending from a portion of the singlearcuate support arm spaced from the pivotal intersection with the secondcommon axle bar to the rigid beam to connect thereto at a locationinboard of the second common connection location.
 20. The agriculturalheader assembly as claimed in claim 16, each of said first and secondwheel supporting assemblies being interconnected with the respectivefirst and second wheels and with the rigid beam with a plurality of pinconnections, such that the transition between the transport and fieldpositions is substantially tool-less.
 21. The agricultural headerassembly as claimed in claim 18, said transport assembly furtherincluding an elongated tongue element configured to be pulled by avehicle in a transport direction generally transverse to the normaloperational direction of the agricultural header, said elongated tongueelement presenting opposite end margins, with one of the end marginsbeing connected to the second wheel supporting assembly at a tongueconnection location generally centrally disposed along the second commonaxle bar.
 22. The agricultural header assembly as claimed in claim 1,said header including a crop-cutting assembly mounted to the headerframe and extending laterally along the frame to define a header cuttingwidth dimension, said rigid beam extending along the entire headercutting width dimension.
 23. The agricultural header assembly as claimedin claim 22, said crop-cutting assembly being substantially flexible andshiftably mounted to the header frame, such that the crop-cuttingassembly floats relative to the rigid beam.
 24. The agricultural headerassembly as claimed in claim 23; and a crop-conveying assembly supportedon the header frame rearwardly of the crop-cutting assembly andconfigured to convey crop severed by the crop-cutting assembly, saidcrop-conveying assembly being substantially flexible and shiftablymounted to the header frame, such that the crop-conveying assemblyfloats relative to the rigid beam.
 25. The agricultural header assemblyas claimed in claim 22, said crop-cutting assembly being located along afront margin of the header relative to the operational direction, withthe rigid beam located along a rear margin of the header.
 26. Theagricultural header assembly as claimed in claim 1, said rigid beambeing disposed along a lower margin of the header frame.
 27. Theagricultural header assembly as claimed in claim 26, said header framepresenting opposite side margins, with the rigid beam extendingcontinuously therebetween.
 28. The agricultural header assembly asclaimed in claim 1, said transport assembly being coupled to the headerthrough only the rigid beam when header is in the transport orientation,such that the header is supported entirely through the rigid beam.
 29. Aheader transport assembly operable to provide mobile support to anagricultural header when the header is in a transport orientation, wherethe header includes a header frame with a rigid beam extending laterallyand presenting a header center of gravity located within a laterallyextending vertical plane, with the header being in the transportorientation when the rigid beam is out of vertical alignment with thevertical plane, said header transport assembly comprising: a first pairof spaced apart wheels shiftably connectable to the rigid beam formovement between a transport position and a field position, with thefirst pair of wheels defining a first midpoint therebetween and operableto be connected to the rigid beam at first connection locations entirelyon one side of the vertical plane when in the transport position; and asecond pair of spaced apart wheels shiftably connectable to the rigidbeam for movement between the transport and field positions, with thesecond pair of wheels defining a second midpoint therebetween andoperable to be connected to the rigid beam at second connectionlocations entirely on one side of the vertical plane when in thetransport position, said first and second midpoints each beingconfigured to be disposed in general vertical alignment with thevertical plane when the header is in the transport orientation tosubstantially balance the header on the transport assembly whenconnected thereto, said transport assembly being connectable to theheader through only the rigid beam when the header is in transportorientation, such that the transport assembly is configured to supportthe header entirely through the rigid beam.
 30. The header transportassembly as claimed in claim 29, said first connection locationscomprising a first common connection location, said second connectionlocations comprising a second common connection location, with one ofthe first wheels being closer to the rigid beam than the other of thefirst wheels and one of the second wheels being closer to the rigid beamthat the other of the second wheels.
 31. The header transport assemblyas claimed in claim 29, said first pair of spaced apart wheels beingdisposed for rotation along a first common axis, said second pair ofspaced apart wheels being disposed for rotation along a second commonaxis, said first and second common axes being generally orthogonal tothe rigid beam and spaced laterally from one another.
 32. The headertransport assembly as claimed in claim 31; and a first wheel supportingassembly carrying the first pair of spaced apart wheels for rotationthereon when in the transport position, said first wheel supportingassembly including a pair of support arms and a first common axle bardisposed along the first common axis, each support arm presentingopposite end margins, with one of each of the end margins intersectingthe first common axle bar.
 33. The header transport assembly as claimedin claim 32; and a second wheel supporting assembly carrying the secondpair of spaced apart wheels for rotation thereon when in the transportposition, said second wheel supporting assembly including a singlearcuate support arm and a second common axle bar disposed along thesecond common axis, said single arcuate support arm presenting oppositeend margins, with one of the end margins pivotally intersecting thesecond common axle bar.
 34. The header transport assembly as claimed inclaim 33, said first wheel supporting assembly being configured tooperably connect the first wheels to the rigid beam at a first commonconnection location, said second wheel supporting assembly beingconfigured to operably connect the second wheels to the rigid beam at asecond common connection location, said first and second commonconnection locations being spaced laterally from one another along therigid beam.
 35. The header transport assembly as claimed in claim 34,said first wheel supporting assembly further including a pair of firststabilizer bars, with each of the stabilizer bars being configured toextend from a portion of one of the support arms adjacent a respectiveone of the first wheels to the rigid beam for connection thereto at alocation inboard of the first common connection location, said secondwheel supporting assembly further including a second stabilizer bar,with the second stabilizer bar being configured to extend from a portionof the single arcuate support arm spaced from the pivotal intersectionwith the second common axle bar to the rigid beam for connection theretoat a location inboard of the second common connection location.